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Commonly
asked questions at Art Shows
You
have a machine right, you don't honestly make these by hand do you?
This is one of the most often asked comments/questions at art shows.
Sorry to disappoint you, but I do make them all by hand. Some pieces
like the Organic Series take hours to days to complete with all
that fine detailed wrapping.
Do
you use solder or glue? No I don't, that is part of the challenge.
In general the technique I use is called wire wrapping. Then there
are sub-catagories such as binding, coiling, sculpting and weaving.
All with the use of wire. These are also a part of the process of
cold-connections.
What metals do you use? I have a preference for working first
in Sterling Silver, second in 14ktgf, and occasionally in copper.
I do occasionally use plated pin-backs, cause it cuts the cost to
the customer and is not an integral part of the overall piece of
art jewelry I make.
What about the earring findings? are they plated? The pierced
variety such as studs and French hooks are not plated. I do use
plated clip-ons when asked. I can provide sterling or 14ktgf clip-ons
but those increase the cost by $18-$25 currently.
You mentioned 14 karat gold-filled, what is it? Roughly it
is a core of jewelers brass that has an outer tube of 14karat gold
pressure bonded to it. I use 14/20 gold filled wire, which means
that 14k gold is used and must be 1/20th the total weight of wire.
This is not the typical plated wire that you can buy from the craft
store that rubs off within a month. General consensus is that jewelry
made from 14ktgf wire is considered a lifetime piece when taken
care of just like you would care for your 14kt gold jewelry. Gold-filled
wire is also tied to the gold market, when gold is up, so is the
cost of the wire. Ultimately, 14kt gold-filled wire allows more
people to find unique and spectacular jewelry at an affordable price.
Do
you teach classes? Not currently and quite honestly I don't
have any plans in the near future for it either.
Birthstone
Chart
This chart is what I use in making the angels. Personally I wear
whatever color I want.
| Month |
Modern |
Swarovski(TM)
Crystal |
|
January
|
Garnet |
Garnet |
| February |
Amethyst |
Amethyst |
| March |
Aquamarine |
Aquamarine |
| April |
Diamond,
White CZ |
Clear
Crystal |
| May |
Emerald |
Emerald |
| June |
Pearl,
Moonstone |
White |
| July |
Ruby |
Siam or Ruby |
| August |
Peridot |
Peridot |
| September |
Sapphire |
Sapphire |
| October |
Opal,
Pink Tourmaline, Pink CZ |
Rose
or Lt. Rose |
| November |
Citrine |
Topaz |
| December |
Blue
Topaz, Blue Spinel |
Montana
Blue or Blue Zircon |
Oh,
and Silver represents the Moon, while 14ktgf represents the Sun.
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